Published 10:00 pm, Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Under a resolution passed by the council's Parks, Education, Libraries and Labor Committee, MOHAI would move to the historic former Naval Reserve Armory, now owned by the city, and commit to a strong maritime heritage emphasis in its new space. The measure will head to the full council for approval.

Delighted MOHAI officials acknowledged they must sell property at the downtown convention center (Eighth Avenue and Pike Street), where the city previously expected the museum to locate.

MOHAI Director Leonard Garfield said finding a buyer is part of the "due diligence" the museum will now conduct.

Jeff Peace, chairman of the museum's board of trustees, said MOHAI hopes to become the Puget Sound area's destination storyteller of maritime, flight and other regional history.

Committee Chairman David Della praised the resolution, calling MOHAI "a great organization that will be an excellent addition" to the developing South Lake Union Park.

City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck, noting the site's own maritime history as well as new money ($400,000) in the mayor's park budget to move the historic schooner Wawona into dry dock, joined fellow Councilman Richard Conlin in successfully amending the resolution in committee to ensure MOHAI's commitment to maritime heritage.

The Wawona, badly in need of expensive repairs, has been proposed for future on-land display at the new MOHAI.

Joe Shickich, president of the Northwest Seaport, which owns the 109-year-old vessel, said the non-profit group supported the resolution -- and is thankful to have money in the budget to move the Wawona.

Its removal from the south end of Lake Union is mandated by the city, which needs to remove its moorage pilings so park development can proceed.